[18] Family arrival

Morning dawned with a silence that almost felt sacred, enveloping the modest apartment where Kaoru and Shiranui were staying. The previous day had passed peacefully, though the shadow of the threat still loomed in the air like an unshakable dark cloud. Shiranui, still looking somewhat dazed, began to regain control over her body. Her head still throbbed slightly, but the pain was not severe enough to prevent her from tackling some small tasks.

The apartment had only one bedroom, which meant Kaoru had been forced to sleep on the living room sofa. That morning, the room appeared in disarray—the table in front of the sofa was strewn with empty vodka bottles, and remnants of snacks were scattered here and there. Kaoru could sometimes be neglectful of cleanliness, especially when his mind was consumed with worries about the fate of the world. The previous night, Kaoru had been trapped in a routine that was both entertaining and destructive; after Asuka left, he had immersed himself in films while sipping vodka and snacking on nuts incessantly.

When Shiranui awoke earlier, she saw the mess left by Kaoru. Instead of feeling annoyed, she smiled gently, like a considerate wife. After donning the clothes Asuka had left beside the bed, Shiranui began to tidy up the living area with almost natural grace, taking on the role of a homemaker.

Carefully to avoid waking Kaoru, Shiranui started cleaning the living room. When she saw Kaoru asleep on the sofa with the blanket askew, she couldn't help but feel an urge to straighten it out. With gentle movements, Shiranui arranged the blanket over Kaoru's solid frame. Her gaze lingered on Kaoru's calm face in sleep. There was something captivating in that silence, something that made her heart race. However, Shiranui quickly dismissed the thought, feeling awkward about the sudden emotion. She turned her attention back to the tasks at hand.

After a short while, Kaoru groaned softly, showing signs of waking up. Shiranui quickly moved to the small kitchen in the corner of the room, preparing a steaming cup of coffee, its aroma soon filling the air, mingling with the morning sunlight seeping through the curtains.

Kaoru rubbed his eyes and got up from the sofa, his vision still slightly blurred. "Good morning, Shiranui," he murmured with a hoarse voice.

Shiranui turned around with a warm smile. "Good morning, Kaoru. I've made coffee. I hope it helps with your hangover."

Kaoru took the cup offered by Shiranui, feeling the warmth of it in his hands. "Thank you," he said quietly before taking a sip. "Sorry..."

Shiranui merely shook her head, her gentle smile remaining. "It's alright. You have a lot on your mind. Besides, I feel better after doing a bit of morning work."

Kaoru looked at Shiranui for a moment, seeing the earnestness in her eyes. "You don't have to do all this, Shiranui. You're still recovering."

Shiranui sighed, gazing at Kaoru with a tender look that she couldn't hide. "I know, but... I want to do something for you. You've helped me so much, and this is my small way of saying thank you."

Kaoru paused, still holding the warm coffee cup in his hands. His slow thought process began to accelerate as he gazed at the coffee in the cup, his reflection appearing weary and dishevelled. Yet, something caught his attention. Something that made his mind whirl as if it had just awoken from a long dream. As he lifted his gaze, his eyes fell on the kitchen.

Shiranui stood there, gracefully wearing an apron, her face radiant with the simple joy of a morning routine she had recently rediscovered. She was humming a soft tune, filling the room with the warmth of the morning. For a moment, Kaoru could only watch, a mixture of confusion and admiration on his face.

"Wait…!" Kaoru thought, as if suddenly realising something important. His face changed colour instantly, a pink flush spreading across his cheeks.

Shiranui, busy preparing breakfast, was unaware of Kaoru's reaction. She adeptly stirred something on the stove, the enticing aroma causing Kaoru's stomach to growl softly. However, Kaoru's thoughts were not focused on the food. Instead, his brain was racing to process the reality that had just slapped him awake.

"Another embarrassing morning…" Kaoru muttered to himself, his voice nearly drowned out by the small commotion in the kitchen. His gaze remained fixed on Shiranui, who looked so comfortable and happy in her space, wearing an apron that seemed to have appeared from nowhere, behaving like a wife who had risen early to prepare breakfast.

Kaoru tapped his forehead lightly, feeling ridiculous about the situation. How could he not have realised this sooner? He woke up to such a domestic, intimate scene. "Good grief…" he sighed, though a small smile played at the corners of his lips.

"Kaoru, would you like your eggs soft or hard?" Shiranui asked without turning, her gentle voice slipping into his still-processing thoughts.

Kaoru sighed quietly, surrendering to the absurdity of the situation he was facing. "Soft, please, Shiranui… Thank you," he replied, this time with a calmer tone.

As Shiranui continued cooking, Kaoru could only smile faintly, enjoying the strange but warm morning moment.

In the grand building of the Department of Defence, Asuka was busy preparing herself for school. The morning sunlight streamed through the large glass windows of her office, casting a golden glow that illuminated the room filled with advanced technology and important documents. Asuka, dressed neatly in her school uniform, her brown hair tied back in a simple yet elegant ponytail, displayed a face full of enthusiasm and grace.

As she was packing her books into her bag, a sudden thought crossed her mind, causing her to stop momentarily with wide eyes in surprise.

"Ah… I forgot to tell Kaoru that I've contacted Shiranui's family!" she exclaimed with a note of embarrassment, tapping her forehead in regret. Her face flushed slightly as she realised the oversight that could lead to unforeseen complications.

A colleague seated at the adjacent desk looked over with raised eyebrows. "Asuka, are you alright? You seem restless," he asked with concern.

Asuka sighed deeply, trying to calm herself. "Yes, I just forgot something important. I hope nothing goes wrong," she replied as she picked up her bag and hurried out of the room, hoping to correct the mistake as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, in Kaoru's modest yet comfortable apartment, the morning atmosphere was serene and peaceful. The aroma of a delicious breakfast filled the room, blending with the fresh morning air. Shiranui, in casual clothes and an apron framing her graceful figure, was busy preparing a meal in the small kitchen. Her face was alight with a simple happiness from the morning routine she had recently rediscovered.

Kaoru sat at the dining table, sipping his black coffee while reading the morning news on his tablet. His sharp red eyes scanned the screen with concentration, though occasionally his gaze would stray towards Shiranui, who moved gracefully in the kitchen, unable to suppress a small smile at the corner of his lips. There was a warmth and comfort he had never felt before, as if this peaceful normalcy had been a long-lost part of his life.

Suddenly, the loud sound of the doorbell shattered the morning quiet, causing Kaoru to lift his head with raised eyebrows. "Who could be visiting at this early hour?" he muttered, setting down his coffee cup and rising from his seat.

Shiranui turned with a curious expression. "Maybe Asuka is dropping by?" she suggested with a gentle smile.

Kaoru shook his head slightly as he walked towards the door. "It doesn't seem like it. She usually lets me know before coming," he replied as he carefully opened the door.

As the apartment door opened, an unexpected sight greeted him. Standing in the doorway was a young girl, barely reaching his stomach. The girl had long brown hair tied in pigtails, looking energetic and full of life. Her skin was a deep brown, reminiscent of a one-piece swimsuit, accentuating her tough aura. However, the most striking feature was the fiery gaze she directed straight at Kaoru. Behind her stood an elegant woman with long blue hair cascading down to her ankles. The woman was dressed in a neat office uniform, giving off a professional and commanding presence. Her purple eyes radiated vigilance, as if ready to face any challenge.

Before Kaoru could fully process what was happening, the young girl had already pointed an accusing finger at his face.

"You! What did you do to my mother?!" her voice rang out, echoing through the apartment corridor. Each word she uttered carried the weight of emotion, making Kaoru recoil in shock.